7/5/2013 |
Appel recovers from harsh greeting to pro ballNo. 1 overall Draft pick Mark Appel made his pro debut with Houston's Class A short-season affiliate Friday. The Stanford product threw two innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits with no walks and a strikeout on 26 pitches.

7/5/2013 |
Back home, Westbrook, Cardinals three-hit FishBehind some early run support, Jake Westbrook efficiently navigated seven innings as the Cardinals took a 4-1 victory in the series opener against the Marlins on Friday night at Busch Stadium.

7/5/2013 |
Red Sox place Drew on disabled listThough his right hamstring strain continues to improve, Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew was placed on the disabled list prior to Friday night's game against the Angels. He's eligible to return on July 14.

7/5/2013 |
Ortiz gets a rest; Napoli fills in at DHAfter playing in 29 straight games, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was given his second game off in six days on Friday night against the Angels. Mike Napoli filled in the DH role.

7/5/2013 |
Buchholz rehab start could be July 14Clay Buchholz had a light throwing day on Friday, but will continue the process of ramping back up over the weekend. If all goes well, Buchholz could throw a couple of bullpen sessions when the Sox are in Seattle for a four-game series Monday-Thursday.

7/5/2013 |
Farrell touts Uehara, Nava for All-Star berthsRed Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and second baseman Dustin Pedroia will likely be named to the American League All-Star team on Saturday, and manager John Farrell thinks outfielder Daniel Nava and relief pitcher Koji Uehara should join them.

7/5/2013 |
Rare runs in first spark three-homer outburst in TexasThe first frame hasn't been kind to the Rangers this season, but it paved the way to a 10-5 win against the Astros on Friday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, with David Murphy's homer leading the way to two more.

7/5/2013 |
D-backs honor fallen firefighters before gameAs sports venues often are following tragedies, Chase Field transformed into a ballpark-size homage on Friday to the 19 firefighters who lost their lives Sunday while battling a wildfire near the Northern Arizona town of Yarnell.

7/5/2013 |
GM Mozeliak offers take on Cards' recent dipGeneral manager John Mozeliak was not on the Cardinals' recent three-city swing through Houston, Oakland and Anaheim, instead spending much of the time on a preplanned trip to see several of the organization's Minor League affiliates. He did, however, keep a pulse on the club from afar, and on Friday, offered his thoughts on the team's recent dip in results.

7/5/2013 |
Bats back solid Harang at longtime homeIn a park he once called home against a Reds team he once called his own, Aaron Harang changed his recent misfortune on the road with a strong performance in a 4-2 Mariners win.

7/5/2013 |
Carp encouraged by extensive bullpen sessionDescribing his 106-pitch bullpen session on Friday as "definitely my best by far" since resuming a throwing program in May, Chris Carpenter is on track to face hitters in a simulated game at Busch Stadium on Wednesday. That would represent a tangible step forward in his progression and put him on track to begin his Minor League rehab assignment in about two weeks, barring any setback.

7/5/2013 |
Williams to face Red Sox on two days' restJerome Williams has moved in and out of the Angels' rotation, turned in extended outings in relief and now the right-hander will add a new challenge to his season, when he faces the Red Sox Saturday on only two days' rest.

7/5/2013 |
Trout can relate to Puig like few othersAngels outfielder Mike Trout worries about his own game and doesn't compare himself to other players, but even he noted the similarity between his big league breakout and what Dodgers phenom Yasiel Puig is going through this season.

7/5/2013 |
Trout is too valuable to remove from top of lineupAngels manager Mike Scioscia has said, on numerous occasions, that Mike Trout will ultimately wind up as a middle-of-the-order hitter. However, even with Albert Pujols struggling, it does not appear Trout's name will appear third on the lineup card in the near future.

7/5/2013 |
Mariners aim to maintain power against LatosThe Mariners have homered 23 times in their last 13 games. Trying to keep Seattle's knocks in the park Saturday will be Mat Latos, who has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 17 starts this season. Jeremy Bonderman takes the hill for Seattle.

7/5/2013 |
All's Wells that ends well: Yanks walk off winnersVernon Wells delivered a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth, capping off a thrilling comeback and giving New York a 3-2 walk-off win over Baltimore on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

7/5/2013 |
Buehrle's excellent outing a ray of light before breakJose Bautista and Jose Reyes both posted a pair of RBIs to back Mark Buehrle, who tossed seven scoreless frames to top the Twins on Friday night at Rogers Centre, kicking off what Toronto hopes is another win streak.

7/5/2013 |
CarGo gets day off to rest sore backThe Rockies decided to trade one day of having left fielder Carlos Gonzalez for the possibility that his sore upper back will heal with a day of rest.

7/5/2013 |
Rockies honor fallen firefighters with D-backsDuring batting practice and the National Anthem, Rockies and D-backs wore caps honoring the 19 elite firefighters from the Prescott (Ariz.) Fire Dept. who lost their lives in the recent Yarnell Wildfire.

7/5/2013 |
Cook, Francis may help Rockies staff later onRemember those happy times, when left-hander Jeff Francis and right-hander Aaron Cook were stalwarts of a Rockies club that went to the World Series in 2007. Can the pair turn back the clock and help the 2013 club?

7/5/2013 |
Rockies enter long road trip with optimismThe Rockies began a possibly season-defining, 10-game National League West road trip with leadoff man Dexter Fowler and cleanup hitter Troy Tulowitzki on the disabled list and, at least for one start, without National League home run leader Carlos Gonzalez.